Closing Ceremony a success: "Britain, we did it right"

Jaclyn is an Idaho native who currently lives in Milwaukee. Having worked in radio, TV and as a newspaper reporter, she is an avid pop culture and news junkie. She also has a passion for photography and cooking (but is still learning to ...

Queen Elizabeth II missing from the crowd

The ceremony was everything it promised to be, with plenty of British pop music and oozing with British culture. With the 2012 Summer Olympics now over, all eyes are on the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games.

It’s been a short 16 days since our TVs were taken over by the bright lights of the Summer Olympics and sadly, it is already coming to an end.

The Closing Ceremony took place tonight in London, and by all accounts, was just as exciting as the Opening Ceremony a little over two weeks ago.

“We lit the flame, and we lit up the world,” London organizing committee chief Sebastian Coe told the Washington Post. “When our time came, Britain, we did it right.”

British musicians and performers came out in droves to perform at the ceremony, lead by the Spice Girls and Monty Python’s Eric Idle.

The Spice Girls were one of the few confirmed acts to perform, but the organizing committee was very hush hush with the lineup otherwise.

“It all made for a psychedelic mashup that had 80,000 fans at Olympic Stadium stomping, cheering and singing along,” said the Washington Post. “Organizers estimated 300 million or more were watching around the world.”

The Olympics Games came in three-times over budget, with a price tag of $14 billion. For the people of London, as well as many around the world, the money spent was well worth it.

As the final medals were awarded, the United States came out on top for 2012, with 104 total medals, including 46 golds. China came in second with 87 medals, with Russia in third and Great Britain in fourth.

As the Olympics come to an end this year, the athletes, and in fact the world, are looking forward to the next Summer Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.